Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sutherlin, OR (2024 Update)

  • Sutherlin Solar Installation Cost: $9,495
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,246
  • Payback Period: 10.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sutherlin

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Sutherlin.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Sutherlin generally cost around 4.The average solar panel system size in Sutherlin is around 3.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $9,495 for a solar installation, or $13,578 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Sutherlin homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the high upfront cost, the average Sutherlin homeowner can save around $23,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Sutherlin

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-8,286
3 years$-5,867
5 years$-3,448
7 years$-1,030
9 years$1,389
11 years$3,807
13 years$6,226
15 years$8,645
17 years$11,063
19 years$13,482
21 years$15,901
23 years$18,319
25 years$20,738

Top Solar Installers in Sutherlin

Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

See all of the solar companies in Sutherlin

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sutherlin

The cost of installing a solar system in Sutherlin can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,500. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Sutherlin, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Sutherlin, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.64$15,288$19,49511.0 years
8 kW$3.57$19,992$26,38610.8 years
10 kW$3.50$24,500$33,47210.6 years
12 kW$3.43$28,812$40,75410.4 years
14 kW$3.36$32,928$48,23310.1 years
16 kW$3.29$36,848$55,9079.9 years
18 kW$3.22$40,572$63,7779.7 years
20 kW$3.15$44,100$71,8449.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
  • Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's Sutherlin, OR Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sutherlin?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,500 for a 5-kW system and $35,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?

Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can solar panels eliminate my energy bills?

It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Sutherlin, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How long do solar panels last in Sutherlin?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.